League: Toopi joins the exodus to Super League

Clinton Toopi has played 128 games for the Warriors since his debut in 1999. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Clinton Toopi is the latest Warrior to leave for England, signing a three-year deal with Super League club Leeds Rhinos.

Toopi, 26, has played 128 games for the Warriors since his debut in 1999 from the Otahuhu club. He has also played 18 tests for the Kiwis.

His shift means there will soon be a fairly decent team of former Warriors in the Super League.

They include Motu Tony, Henry Fa'afili, Shontayne Hape, Toopi, Francis Meli, Thomas Leuluai, Stacey Jones, Jerry Seuseu, Monty Betham, Iafeta Paleaaesina, David Solomona, Ali Lauitiiti, Logan Swann, Vinnie Anderson, Joe Vagana, Karl Te Mata and Willie Poching.

All but Solomona and Poching have left since 2003.

Toopi said he had been considering going to England for some time. His move is logical, given the salary cap pressure at the Warriors.

"My contract was up this year and while I've loved playing for the Warriors, I think this is the right time for me to move to a new environment," he said.

"I considered options in the NRL but signing with Leeds was the best opportunity for me and for my family. I'm pleased to have this sorted out.

"It'll be sad to leave but I want to get on with trying to give my best for the Warriors for the rest of my time here."

Toopi was rated best centre in the world in 2002 but has struggled for form since, producing his best with two, three-try performances against Australia for the Kiwis in 2003 and 2005.

Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah said the Warriors could not compete with the offer from Leeds.

"We're sad to see him go but the fact is clubs in the Northern Hemisphere are able to make offers that we simply can't compete with.

"Clinton's been part of the Warriors for eight seasons now and he's obviously an appealing target for other clubs," Scurrah said.

Another long-serving Warrior, Awen Guttenbeil, has been allowed to sound out both Super League and NRL clubs. Scurrah said discussions were continuing over fullback Brent Webb, and forwards Evarn Tuimavave and Epalahame Lauaki, who also come off contract at the end of the year.

The three are represented by agent Jim Banaghan, who is in Europe talking to clubs there.

"We've had discussions with him on all his players, and we just need to progress on that," Scurrah said.

But with the anti-tampering deadline of June 30 still some weeks away, there was no panic.

"To have only half-a-dozen or so spots open with still four weeks to go is probably not too much of a concern to any club," Scurrah said. "We're pretty comfortable with where we are."

- additional reporting NZPA